University of North Carolina Athletics
November 13, 2026 | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Carolina cross country completed competition at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships with two top-10 team finishes at Milliken Research Park on Friday morning.
The women opened the morning with a 6K race, led by Katelyn Rupe, who finished as Carolina's top runner for the first time in her career. The Kansas native clocked a time of 20:14.0 to place 35th in a field of 269 competitors.
Several Tar Heels followed Rupe in the top 45, with Ciara O'Shea placing 38th in 20:18.3 and Maddie Gardiner finishing just behind in 39th with a time of 20:19.0. Kinley Wolfe and Pia Beaulieu rounded out the top five for UNC, placing 42nd and 43rd, respectively.
Across the seven-woman lineup, Carolina recorded an eight-second spread, the smallest among all 38 competing teams.
On the men's side, Caden Leonard once again led the Tar Heels, competing in his first collegiate 10K. The true freshman secured another top-10 finish, placing ninth in 29:20.5 to earn All-Region honors. Joe Barrett also earned All-Region recognition, finishing 20th with a time of 29:32.5.
Rounding out the top 30, freshman Brian Burns clocked a 29:43.9 to finish 28th, while Jacob Laney followed in 30th with a time of 29:45.3.
Up next, the Tar Heels await their postseason fate at the 2026 NCAA Cross Country Selection Show on Saturday.
The women opened the morning with a 6K race, led by Katelyn Rupe, who finished as Carolina's top runner for the first time in her career. The Kansas native clocked a time of 20:14.0 to place 35th in a field of 269 competitors.
Several Tar Heels followed Rupe in the top 45, with Ciara O'Shea placing 38th in 20:18.3 and Maddie Gardiner finishing just behind in 39th with a time of 20:19.0. Kinley Wolfe and Pia Beaulieu rounded out the top five for UNC, placing 42nd and 43rd, respectively.
Across the seven-woman lineup, Carolina recorded an eight-second spread, the smallest among all 38 competing teams.
On the men's side, Caden Leonard once again led the Tar Heels, competing in his first collegiate 10K. The true freshman secured another top-10 finish, placing ninth in 29:20.5 to earn All-Region honors. Joe Barrett also earned All-Region recognition, finishing 20th with a time of 29:32.5.
Rounding out the top 30, freshman Brian Burns clocked a 29:43.9 to finish 28th, while Jacob Laney followed in 30th with a time of 29:45.3.
Up next, the Tar Heels await their postseason fate at the 2026 NCAA Cross Country Selection Show on Saturday.
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Sunday, November 15
Sunday, November 15
Sunday, November 15
Sunday, November 15